m©i5tt i^ p^w©^< 




COPYRIGHT (1889) BY THE AUTHOR. ALU. RIGHTS RESERVED. 



•^ ^"^ 



<-,.^ 



iflH II 



<2^^^'- 



The cliord in the human heart that vibrates most tenderly — the 

memory of the soul that lies deepest and is sweetest — 

rises and thrills at the very mention of the name of 

Mother. Such great honor and blessing 

hath God bestowed upon "Woman. 



y 



JEROME PAINE BATES, 

Editor, and Author of "The Imperial Highway," "Issues of the 
Campaign,'"'' Etc., Etc. 



CHICAGO : 

W. P. Dunn & Co., 167 Adams Street. 

1889. 



^^\K: 



.; ^; 



o. 



h ff) 



eir)©pi0:rr).=^ 

^QURE, sainted one in world above — 
1^ The home of joy and light and love — 
Could I throw down life's heavy load 
And upward mount to thine abode; 
Could I behold thy new-found youth, 
Its angel beauty, fair as truth, 
With not a wrinkle or defect, 
The faultless form of God's elect; 
Could I come near thee in that land 
And grasp again your outstretched hand; 
With soul forlorn, your blessing seek 
And print a kiss on rounded cheek; 
Lean throbbing head on peaceful breast 
And feel once more its sweet, full rest; 
Raise swimming eyes to thy dear face, 
Enwreathed in smiles and tender grace — 

How would our raptured spirits beat, 
What words of cheer would each repeat? 

* These lines are reminiscent and commemorative of Mrs. 
Delinda Grow Bates, who died at Thompson, Conn., Christmas 
morning, 1888, aged 85. It is essential to remember these facts 
in order to understand the allusions of the poem. 



A MOTHER IN HEAVEN. 



Would'st thou inquire for old-time friends, 
With eagerness that absence lends? 
Or does freed soul no more delight 
Itself in those beyond its sight? 
Has the old love that filled thy heart 
No place midst joys of nobler part? 

mother dear, I'll not believe 

That thou for us no more wilt grieve; 

1 will not think of thee as lost 
To love of children, tempest-tost 
On life's rough billows, rolling high, 
And lifting up a fruitless cry; 

I will not dream of help denied 
While struggling hard against the tide. 

It would, indeed, be passing strange 
If death could bring so great a change 
That you would spurn me, should I kneel 
And seek in tears the old-time zeal. 

No, rather let me be assured 
That when by evil ways allured, 
I have above a guardian guide 
Whose circling love will e'er abide. 
With no misgivings, let me know 
That through my pilgrimage below. 
Thy heart is watchful still and true, 
And ever keeps me full in view. 





A MOTHER IN HEAVEN. 




II. 

|HEN I was told that you had gone 
And left me orphaned and alone, 
I could not mourn; for flight from pain 
Was such relief and glorious gain. 

In your surroundings now and when 

On earth, what wondrous change'. For then, 

A weak, emaciate, feeble one; 

Now, clothed in likeness of God's Son. 

When body dies and not the soul, 

Dropping the flesh but makes it whole. 

Bare poverty exchanged for wealth; 
For wasting sickness, robust health; 
For rending anguish, healing joy, 
For sinking death, life's sweet employ. 
As earth grew dim, your sky grew bright; 
When night closed in, there still was light 
Above the clouds, beyond the roar 
Of beating billows on the shore. 

When clouded eyes refused to see. 
Then nobler sight began to be; 
When palsied lips refused to speak, 
Angelic pinions brushed thy cheek. 
And when at last life's wheels stood still, 
And pulseless heart no more could fill 
The veins with blood, the brain with dreams, 
'Twas then thy soul caught advance gleams 
Of thmgs which never know decay. 



A MOTH EM IN HEAVEN. 



Of glory fading not away, 
Of fruitful palms that cast no shade, 
Of fair green fields whose every blade 
Of waving foliage rich aiid rare, 
Made perfume for the balmy air. 

From lowly couch to palace hall 
Brought quick release from aged thrall; 
From helpless want to marriage feast, 
Where Christ is first and none are least; 
Where wedding garments, freely given, 
Prepare for entrance into heaven — 
All these transitions, quick as thought. 
Came with redemption Christ had bought. 
And which j^ou all through life had sought. 

O tell me, Mother, did you meet 
While walking up the golden street, 
Your consort, who long years before. 
Had passed in through the open door? 
Did father, mother, sisters three, 
Reach out glad hands to welcome thee? 
Did Abram, Moses, Paul and John, 
With kindly looks, beckon thee on? 
Did angel convoy bear thee straight 
Through realms of space to pearly gate? 
Did God himself, as King alone. 
Receive thee on his royal throne? 

Methinks I see thy beaming eyes 
Ray out their great and glad surprise. 
As glory-visions, one by one, 



A MOTHER IN HEAVEN. 



With consciousness of victory won, 
Fill thee with happiness divine, 
And make each radiant feature shine. 

Then came the crowning scene of all, 
When through the brilliant jeweled hall. 
The Father's voice rang sweet and clear. 
Saying in words that all might hear: 
" Well done, tried soul, faithful and good. 
Enter thou in to full sainthood; 
You kept the faith, and loved your Lord, 
Let robes and crown be thy reward." 



III. 

OUR life in heaven has not been long, 
c'X^ Not more than learned the ransomed song, 
But even now, I hear thee say 
*' Amidst these scenes I choose to stay. 
Call me not back to sinful earth. 
Which gave me death, and gave me birth, 
So poor and mean seems all its wealth, 
Fleeting honors and fading health, 
I would not change my present lot 
For richest prize or fairest spot. 

" On high, there's nothing poor or bad; 
No hurtful things to make one sad; 
No heat to blight, no winds to chill. 



A MOTHER IN HEAVEN. 



No pains to soothe, no cries to still. 
Instead, a calm ecstatic peace, 
Fullness of lite with no surcease; 
Abounding health and honors high. 
Riches that have no wings to fly . 

"No eye hath seen, no ear hath heard. 
No flight of fancy, like a bird. 
E'er touched the height of joys that come 
To souls which gain this glorious home. 

" No language that I know can tell 
Of things which now around me dwell; 
Beautiful things like those which seem 
So wonderful in fairy dream. 
Entrancing views with music sweet. 
Grand waves of harmony which meet 
And mount, then sink to cadence low 
That falls as soft as falling snow. 

" No human chorus ever trilled 

Such melody as through me thrilled 

When first I joined the shining choir. 

And touched the strings of golden lyre. 

The Saviour, pleased, among us walked, 

And of still brighter glories talked, 

Then led us out midst blooming trees 

That gently swayed with passing breeze; 

Through gardens filled with flowers rare, 

Breathing the pure delicious air, 

Beside still waters, deep and wide. 

Which through the landscapes noiseless glide. 



A MOTHER IN HEAVEN. 



"-O what a happy life is this! 
My being palpitates with bliss. 
No wants to feed, no rest to crave, 
No transient joys one tries to save, 
No aching heart or weary head, 
No dragging toil, no shrinking dread. 

"The contrast in respect to power 

Is greater than the blissful dower. 

When clogged with clay no soul can rise 

Above its lot, nor sever ties 

That bind it fast in irksome chains. 

Whose links are losses, crosses, pains. 

"Compelled to live in one small place. 
Compelled to run a halting race, 
I could not move beyond my range 
Nor bring about a wished-for change. 
My old earth-life was ever filled 
With things I did not like, and stilled 
Were all my cries for higher good. 
By cares and woes, a swarming brood. 
For fourscore years and five, my mind 
Was cramped and hindered and confined; 
The good I would, I could not do, 
As means were scant, and chances few. 

"But now the universe of space 

Is mine; 1 go to any place 

I wish. On spirit wings I soar 

To any planet, any shore, 

To starry orb, or island grot — 



10 A MOTHER IN HEAVEN. 

I ._ 

There is no distant unknown spot. 
As will and motion are the same, 
Effort is little more than name. 

" Below us we discern the earth, 

A place now held of little worth. 

And precious only as the sphere 

Where Christ was born and souls are dear. 

" The spirit-body saints receive 

Is not what many would believe; 

For flesh and blood, like willful sin. 

To this pure world enter not in. 

Neither do thoughts which spring from sex 

Divert the mind or life perplex. 

Our love is calm, intense and still, 

Entirely free from passion's thrill; 

No men or women here are known, 

But all are angels round the throne. 

" We neither hunger, thirst nor tire, 
We feel no need of shade or fire; 
Our clothing is a robe of light 
Gauzy, cloud-like, pliant and white. 
More volatile than ambient air 
We move through space and blessings bear 
To struggling ones not yet released, 
Whose fight with woes hath not yet ceased. 

" For self we never know a fear. 
Nor ever shed a bitter tear; 
The power that holds the orbs in space 
Keeps us secure in every place. 



A MOTHER IN HEAVEN. 11 

What Jesus was when from the grave 
He rose to conquer and to save, 
E'en such will all his children be 
Who join him by the crystal sea." 

******** 
Hold, mother dear, pray tell no more. 
Or else we'll wish this life were o'er; 
Let thought come back to work and care, 
And leave thee with the glory there. 



IV. 

f;N future days remembrance glad 
I Shall cheer the hours when I am sad. 
By bringing back thy former life 
As christian parent, faithful wife. 

'Twill be a source of constant joy 
While daily tasks my hands employ. 
That of thee I'm not quite bereft, 
As power to bless me still is left. 

Your form and presence are removed, 
But that you live is clearly proved 
By words of Christ in Holy Writ, 
Saying that saints on thrones shall sit. 
They truly live because He lives, 
As vine to branch its being gives. 



12 A MOTHER TN HEAVEN. 

I cannot think thee far away, 

Or that you fled from us to stay; 

No sense of distance intervenes 

Between souls here and future scenes, 

When in communion both unite 

And make the sky one path of light. 

If any change indeed there be, 

It is that you are nearer me 

Than when on earth; for now thy power 

Can reach and bless me every hour. 

The veil which hides thee from my view 
Is thin as mist, or morning dew. 
When faith is strong, and love is bold, 
And hope's sure anchor takes fast hold. 

The dearest, sweetest, purest thing 
Which life to any soul can bring, 
Is love of mother for her child. 
So constant, merciful and mild. 
I never thought of it so much 
Until I missed its healing touch; 
I never prized its radiant worth 
Until I wandered o'er the earth. 

But now when lonely days I see 
I'll think of all you were to me, 
And call to mind the old-time hours 
I spent in childhood's fairy bowers. 



A MOTHER IN HEAVEN. 13 



0;N humble cottage by the road, 
g:I Our homestead and long-time abode, 
Thy care sustained my budding life, 
And hushed in peace all boyish strife. 

How clearly outlined on my brain 
Those days which ne'er can come again! 
In panorama they pass by 
While I look on with love-lit eye: 

A square-built house, solid and old, 

Which held more furniture than gold; 

A shop hard by, a corn-crib small, 

That formed two parts of garden wall; 

A moss-grown well with swinging sweep, 

That brought up water cool and deep; 

A brook that through green meadows ran. 

Twisting about as small brooks can; 

A bare and ample kitchen floor 

That stretched back from the large south door; 

A big fireplace with flagstone hearth. 

Whose ruddy light gave cheerful birth 

To teeming fancies, day-dreams wild, 

Which bless the heart of every child; 

A climbing vine on south-east front, 

Where berries grew and birds were wont 

To come and snatch them, all alert 

Lest childish hands should bring them hurt; 

An ancient clock, full eight feet tall, 



14 A MOTHER IN HEAVEN. 

Standing like sentrj^ 'gainst the wall, 

That tolled the measured beats of time, 

And with oar thoughts made mocking rhyme; 

A barn, where cattle munched their hay, 

Stored away in capacious bay; 

A scaffold high, where fowls would fly. 

And hide their nests so wise and sly; 

A landscape broad of hill and dale, 

Hazy with Autumn's misty veil; 

Huge branching trees and forests grand. 

That flecked and dotted all the land; 

A winding roadway up and down. 

That led to school, to church, and town; 

A brooding stillness over all, 

Unbroken save by friendly call — 

Oh, how these trooping pictures run 
Across the canvas one by one! 
Oh, how distinctly are they seen 
Like photographs on magic screen! 

Then, too, in winter evenings long. 
When round the fire the family throng 
Gathered with pen, and slate, and book, 
You, in our midst, so grave would look 
O'er massive "specs," half down the nose. 
Giving your face peculiar pose. 
In rocker large near candle-stand, 
I see thee, knitting work in hand, 
While father nods in his low chair, 
And firelight phantoms dance in air. 
Sometimes when howling blasts did blow, 



A MOTHER IN HEAVEN. 15 

And outer world was wrapt in siiovv, 
Down the dark cellar two would go, 
Feeling our way, cautious and slow. 
As light was dim and ground was rough 
With stones and boards and garden stuff. 

Apples and cider soon were found 
And carried back with nimble bound. 
The pan of fruit, greenings and red. 
Put motion into every head. 
While cider mugs with foaming top 
Were drained of each last beaded drop. 
The pop-corn snapped upon the stove. 
The shagbark walnuts from the grove 
Were cracked and meated with a zest. 
While talk and laughter, song and jest. 
Made merry hours for one and all 
Better than heated dance or ball. 

These home-like, farm-like joys that came 
In days of old, left no sad shame 
To rankle in the mind and heart; 
Of higher life they formed a part 
And that was all; not as an end 
Were they pursued, but to unbend 
The tightened strain of anxious care. 
And lessen labor's grinding wear. 

When bed-time came we ran up stairs 
Where many childish ghosts had lairs 
Around the chamber, rough and rude. 
And where the wide stone-chimney stood. 



16 A MOTHER IN HEAVEN, 




You followed where our footsteps led, 
And tucked us up in ice-cold bed, 
But with such kindly look and word 
That grateful hearts within us stirred. 



G^S^^ 



VI. 

JHILE being lasts I'll not forget 
I owe to thee a boundless debt; 
And though I never can repay, 
I'll crown thee with this humble lay. 

My life itself was thy great gift; 
You pushed my little bark adrift; 
If love had failed, I had not been 
Nor floated to this world of sin. 

You stilled my wailing infant cries, 
You kissed the tears from weeping eyes. 
Rocked me to sleep on peaceful breast, 
And laid me down to dreamless rest. 

You taught my lips to speak thy name. 
You roused within a thirst for fame. 
You watched my growing mind unfold. 
With anxious care that ne'er was told. 
From every view, which way I turn, 
Thy work and worth I still discern. 



A MOTHER IN HEAVEN. 17 

But chief among thy virtues rare, 
Was perfect faith in God and prayer. 
Religion made thee wise and strong, 
And gave to life its noblest song. 

The Bible was thy constant friend, 
No other book such peace could lend; 
Its words of hope and love you read, 
Prefacing each with — " And God said." 
No questionings were ever thine, 
That every chapter, every line 
That book contained were all divine, 
And truth's bright ore from heavenly mine. 

How worn that Testament you used! 
How often o'er its contents mused! 
Thy loyal love made duty kind, 
And brought reward to willing mind. 

Of many worldly things denied. 

You closer pressed to Jesus' side; 

To do God's will was richer food 

Than any other earthly good. 

How many times I watched thy face 

When, fresh from God's own hiding-place. 

Thy soul had dwelt so long above. 

Its very features glowed with love. 

No wonder that when death drew nigh. 

And life grew dark beneath the sky, 

You still could whisper in our ears, 

"Jesus fails not; I have no fears."* 

* Her last words sent back from the borders of Beulah. 



18 A MOTHER IN HEAVEN. 



VII. 

ijj preacher's daughter once thyself, 
You valued preachers more than pelf; 
Their hymns and sermons, like strong wings. 
Bore up thy soul toward higher things. 

Much company you never sought 
Unless 'twas filled with pious thought; 
The pomp and pride of gaudy dress 
You spurned for robe of righteousness. 

A paper, book, or magazine 
Were in thy hands but seldom seen; 
The Bible held for thee such lore 
You had no wish or time for more. 

To do your work from day to day. 

Gave little space for idle play; 

Yet mirth and fun, when work was done, 

Gladdened our home for every one. 

You had no frown for hearty laugh, 

(Although you often called it "chaff,") 

And thy large frame would heave and shake 

At sport the boys and girls would make. 

Still mirthfulness was held in check. 

Lest higher good it might shipwreck. 

That life we lived in olden time, 
A mixture was, like prose and rhyme; 
It might be styled a bitter-sweet. 
As wide extremes did often meet, 



A MOTHER IN HEAVEN. 19 

And cruel thorns made bleeding- feet. 
But midst it all one star shone bright, 
A mother's love which knew no night; 
In joy or sorrow still the same, 
A beacon light, an altar flame. 



Of many trials, one you had 
Concerned your youngest little lad, 
Whom you designed for pulpit work. 
But which he always tried to shirk. 

Urged on by you he sought to do 
What first was hard, and harder grew 
As years brought out inaptitude, 
And obstacles his pathway strewed. 

The youth was stubborn, quick and proud. 
And with misgivings deep he bowed 
His head to vows of service true. 
That ordination round him threw. 

He preached and prayed as best he could. 
He labored long to do some good. 
But found at last his heart and mind 
For more congenial service pined. 
And so, unable to endure 
The woes and ills he could not cure. 
He left the pulpit, took his pen. 
And never entered desk again. 

This action nearly broke thy heart; 
You could not bear to see him part 



20 A MOTHER IN HEAVEN. 

From that straight path you chose for hira, 
And made him choose the same, or sin. 

We always thought your motive right, 
And that, according to the light 
You then enjoyed, you sought the best 
For him and all, at love's behest. 
Though now, I think, you clearly see 
That such a course was not to be. 

Nor this alone, but many more 
Dark puzzling things and crosses sore 
That you on earth so patient bore, 
Are now explained by wiser lore. 
Light and knowledge of wider scope 
Throw back on life a brighter hope. 

It was indeed a great mistake 
Which burning zeal for Jesus' sake 
Led you unconsciously to make. 



VIIL 

\0 grade of old New England life 
'pH^ Could long exist without some strife, 
Or war of words, o'er jarring creeds 
Which in God's garden grow like weeds. 

The church and what it taught, were then 
The chart and guide of all good men. 
And Sunday with its change and rest, 



A MOTHER IN HEAVEN. 21 

Was day of all the week the best. 
But scent for heresy was keen 
As ever in old Spain was seen; 
Unsound in faith was quite as bad 
As if a person had gone mad. 

And so I recollect full well 
How earnestly your mind would dwell 
On themes and doctrines of God's word 
Which you at church from preachers heard. 

Sometimes at home debate ran high, 
And then "old Adam's" fur would fly; 
Sometimes the talk took milder form, 
And great peace followed after storm. 

In fact, theology was all 
I heard or knew, till from the thrall 
Of home and farm I burst away, 
And sailed out on a broader bay. 
Religion formed the warp and woof 
Of all the talk beneath our roof. 
The fear of God was high restraint 
For youthful sinner, aged saint. 

The breakfast done, we all sar still. 

And turned our thoughts toward Zion's hill; 

While father read from book or psalm 

Of Shepherd good who shields from harm. 

Then lowly knees to floor were bent. 

And fervent pleadings upward sent 

That God would guide us through the day. 

Nor let us from his counsels stray. 



22 A MOTHER IN HEAVEN. 

A Christian home! what tongue can tell 
How potent is that wondrous spell 
It weaves around the youthful heart 
Keeping it safe with kindly art. 

A Christian mother! who that knows 
Hew far her subtle influence goes? 
Or how in after life she molds 
The destiny her love enfolds? ' 

Beloved one! I freely own 
Before the world and blazing throne, 
Your life and words did more to bless, 
Than hope of wealth, or love's caress. 
In dark temptation's fiercest hour. 
Grappling with sin's destructive power. 
One thought of thee would make me weep. 
And start the cry, " God save and keep." 



G^®^^ 



IX. 

■OUR stay with us was longer than 
The usual length of iffe's short span; 
And longer far than you desired, 
As age came on, and soul grew tired. 

But it was well; example's force 
Is riveted by length of course; 
Besides, God's word was verified 



A MOTHER IN HEAVEN. 33 

That saints who in his love abide, 
Shall with long life be satisfied. 

Old age, however, did not bring 
Thee any joys like those which spring 
From younger da^^s, but rather woe; 
For wan disease, perverse and slow. 
Fastened upon thy worn-out frame, 
And made life hardly worth the name. 

Ideal age that lives in song. 
Might almost tempt one to live long; 
But four-score years with burdens such 
As spring from weakness, and the touch 
Of chill and frost and failing powers — 
These are not life's happiest hours. 

When eyes grow dim and hearing thick, 
And failing flesh feels faint and sick; 
*When bitter almonds are one's food. 
And insect troubles like a brood 
Rise up and darken sun and moon. 
And turn to night the brightest noon; 
When grinders cease because so few. 
And morning dawns with no moist dew; 
When storms come on, and clouds return, 
Ahd hope lies buried in its urn; 
When keepers shake because so weak. 
And pallor seizes brow and cheek, 
And music's daughters silence seek; 

*The imagery of this stanza is taken from Ecclesiastes, xii. 
chapter. 



24 A MOTE EM IN HEAVEN. 

When sleep forsakes the restless bed 
And makes the brain wish it were dead; 
When e'en desire gives out, and fears 
Bring blighting thoughts and blinding tears; 
When silver cord begins to shake, 
And golden bowl begins to break; 
When at life's fountain, pitcher drops, 
And wheel at cistern slows and stops — 
Old age is then not what it seems 
When viewed through fancy's golden beams. 

To be laid by and feel no worth. 
Crouched down in corner of the hearth, 
Knowing that each new dragging day 
Makes more unbearable one's stay 
Amidst surroundings from which rise 
No light to gladden longing eyes, 
Is no great boon to Christian mind 
Which pants to leave the world behind. 
And seek a city, fair and broad, 
Whose builder is a gracious God. 



X. 

fHY life and death were both ordained; 
To such belief I am constrained 
By rare and striking circumstance 
Which did not spring from wayward chance. 



A MOTHER IN HE A VEN. 25 



God kept thee with us till a day, 
Made sacred by angelic lay, 
Dawned on thy spirit, glad to leave 
A world which often made it grieve, 
And crumbling tenement of clay 
Fit only to be laid away. 

As chrysalis its vesture sheds, 
And bright new wings, upspringing, spreads, 
So thy freed soul, as newly-born. 
Entered heaven on Christmas morn. 

Christmas with God — how rich the thought! 
How full of gifts and joy unbought! 
To be where poverty's sad face 
Mars not the hallowed hour and place; 
Where disappointment ne'er is known; 
Where gifts abounding, like a zone 
Of wealth and light and joy serene. 
Make life one endless festive scene. 

O Mother, I would gladly know. 
If, ill that land where spirits go, 
The angels and archangels bright, 
Remember that Judean night, 
When to the waiting shepherds came, 
The sign of God in starry flame? 
Does music celebrate the day 
When in the manger Mary lay 
Her godlike babe, before whom bowed 
The wise men and the wondering crowd? 
Did silver bells ring out glad chimes? 
Did air resound with happy rhymes 



26 A MOTHER IN HEAVEN. 

Sung by gatherings round the throne, 
With no one absent or alone? 

Did spirits watch from heavenly heights 
The merry earth ablaze with lights? 
Did sounds of cordial greeting reach 
The upper courts like distant speech, 
Or murm'ring waves on ocean beach? 

Thy Christmas gifts were harp and crown. 
At God's right hand thou didst sit down 
On throne of gold to praise the grace, 
Which brought thee to that happy place. 
Then while such fruits as angels share, 
Grown only in that purer air 
On trees of life, around were laid, 
Entrancing notes rich music made. 

More blest than we on earth can be, 
Thy Christmas joy was like a sea 
Vast and unbounded — not as here 
Where Christmas comes but once a year. 
The knowledge that this feast of love 
Would ne'er break up, or tiresome prove. 
Gave added zest to perfect hours 
Enjoyed amidst perennial bowers. 

That life of joy can never die; 
No disappointed painful cry 
Will e'er escape thy lips again; 
But one eternal, blest, " amen " 
Shall banish all disturbing care 
Like benediction after prayer. 



A MOTHER IN HEAVEN. 27 



XL 

'OW, mother, I must end this song 
And leave thee with that happy throng; 
Leave thee at rest with angel band 
Inhabiting the better land. 

In deepest heart I feel it true 

That while you are now hid from view, 

The real distance is not great, 

As upper world to this is mate. 

God is so good and great and just, 
His promises invite my trust; 
To them I'll cling, and hope at last 
To join thee when this life is past. 

O Father, Saviour, hear this plea! 
Direct, inspire and shelter me; 
Let mother's holy faith be mine. 
And my heart's love shall all be thine. 



LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 

■n 

016 211 507 8 ^ 



